Resistance behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers subjected to lightning strikes: Experimental investigation and application

Abstract

It is difficult to monitor lightning damage to carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) online. This work experimentally investigates the changes associated with the electrical resistance of CFRPs subjected to lightning strikes. Two kinds of simulated lightning currents with different amplitudes in the range of 10–80 kA were injected into the CFRP samples. By measuring and comparing the changes in the struck-side (front) surface resistance, the surface resistance of the side opposite to the struck-side (back) and the oblique resistance of each sample before and after the lightning strike, it was observed that inflection points exist in the curve of the resistance change rate. The resistance decreases with increasing peak currents before the inflection point and increases when the peak current goes beyond the inflection point. The change rate of the front surface resistance is more sensitive to the lightning damage than are those of the back surface resistance and the oblique resistance. Different simulated lightning currents have approximately the same action integrals at the inflection points of resistance change rate. The characteristics indicate that resistance change detection could be a possible method for the online monitoring of CFRP lightning damage.

Polymer-Matrix Composites: Characterising the Impact of Environmental Factors on Their Lifetime

“…Due to the electrical properties of polymers, damage (which sometimes cannot be detected through visual inspection) is prone to occur whenever these components are struck. Therefore, evaluating the effect of this occurrence on the structural integrity and fatigue life of polymer-matrix composite parts is essential [53,54]. Whenever a composite structure is struck by lighting, a very high current channel is created and absorbed by the material [53].…”

“…Whenever a composite structure is struck by lighting, a very high current channel is created and absorbed by the material [53]. Polymeric matrices usually present poor conductivity, leading to a large temperature increase in zones neighbouring the attachment point due to the Joule effect [54]. The achieved temperatures go above the pyrolisis gasification temperatures of the polymer matrices, occasioning the formation of gases.…”

“…The achieved temperatures go above the pyrolisis gasification temperatures of the polymer matrices, occasioning the formation of gases. Due the heat ablation, the accumulation of these gases inside small interlayer delamination spaces originates an explosive effect, further intensifying delamination as well as shock-wave effects [54,55]. In Figure 15, a representation of the lightning-induced delamination is presented.…”

Methods of modifying through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRP for use in structural health monitoring, and its effect on mechanical properties – A review

“…CFRPs with thermoset matrices are generally brittle in nature and are susceptible to impact damage [1,2]. In addition to this, they have low off-axis electrical conductivity, herein referred to as conductivity, which can lead to joule heating and subsequent damage when current flows through the CFRP [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. This review discusses the research carried out to enhance the through-thickness electrical conductivity, with consideration of the effect on mechanical properties.…”

Damage Investigation of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Laminates with Fasteners Subjected to Lightning Current Components C and D

“…With the massive expansion of wind power and the rapid growth in the number of aircraft, the chances of wind turbine blades and aircraft being struck by lightning have inevitably increased substantially. Because the destructive effects of lightning strikes often lead to serious consequences, research on lightning damage in CFRPs has received unprecedented attention [4][5][6][7][8].…”